Physical Therapist Assistant Hourly Pay in Fort Collins, CO: $30.11 (2026)
Quick Answer:Hourly pay for a physical therapist assistant working in Fort Collins, CO runs $30.11 at the median for 2026 — annualizing to $62,634 at a standard 2,080-hour year. Figures projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 31-2021). Weighted against Fort Collins's regional price level (BEA RPP 101.1, 1% above national), each hour of work buys what $29.77 nationally would. A 24-hour part-time schedule grosses $37,577 per year.
Official BLS data · View source
In Fort Collins, Colorado, the median hourly pay for a physical therapist assistant is estimated at $30.11, which is below the national average of $33.77. This pay scale provides unique opportunities, particularly for part-time positions or per-diem work in settings such as outpatient clinics, skilled nursing facilities, home health services, hospital inpatient rehabilitation units, and pediatric therapy environments. Entry-level PTAs earn around $25.17, while skilled professionals in the top 10% can command up to $43.61 an hour. This officially reported hourly data reflects the evolving labor market within the area as projected for 2026, indicating that while the local pay scale has its challenges, there are avenues for growth and advancement.
Physical Therapist Assistant Hourly Wage Breakdown
| Percentile | Hourly Rate | Per 8hr Shift |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $25.17 | $201.35 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $26.66 | $213.27 |
| Median (P50) | $30.11 | $240.88 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $37.02 | $296.19 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $43.61 | $348.87 |
Estimated Annual Income by Work Schedule in Fort Collins
Based on $30.11/hr median hourly rate · 2026 est.
At $30.11/hr, a physical therapist assistant working full-time (40 hr/wk) in Fort Collins, CO can expect to earn approximately $62,629 per year (2026 est.). Part-time hygienists working 24 hours per week would earn around $36,132. With a cost-of-living index of 101.13 (above the national average), these earnings may be offset by higher expenses in Fort Collins.
Hourly Rate Calculator
Schedule Comparison in Fort Collins
| Schedule | Weekly | Monthly | Annual |
|---|---|---|---|
| Full-Time (40 hrs) | $1,204.41 | $5,219 | $62,629 |
| Part-Time (24 hrs) | $722.64 | $3,131 | $37,577 |
| Per Diem (16 hrs) | $481.76 | $2,088 | $25,052 |
Compare PTA Wages With Similar Roles
| Role | Median Hourly |
|---|---|
| Physical Therapist Assistant (Fort Collins) | $30.11 |
| Physical Therapist (National Avg) | $48.65 |
| Occupational Therapy Assistant (National Avg) | $33.15 |
| Athletic Trainer (National Avg) | $27.85 |
| Massage Therapist (National Avg) | $27.10 |
Physical Therapist Assistants in Fort Collins, CO earn a median of $62,634 per year (2026 est.), which is 10.84% lower than the national median of $70,247 and 6.40% below the Colorado state average of $66,917.
Physical Therapist Assistant Hourly Pay vs. Cost of Living
Working 24h/week at $30.11/hr = $37,577/year (purchasing power: $37,158).
Working 40h/week (full-time) = $62,629/year (purchasing power: $61,931).
CoL index: 101.128 (100 = national average).
2019 BLS Actual
$22.73/hr
2025 BLS Actual
$29.31/hr
2026 Current Est.
$30.11/hr
2019–2027 Growth
+36.1%
Hourly Rate Trajectory for Physical Therapist Assistants in Fort Collins (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 2.73% projection.
| Year | Hourly Rate | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $22.73/hr | Actual |
| 2020 | $25.62/hr | Actual |
| 2021 | $28.86/hr | Actual |
| 2022 | $30.80/hr | Actual |
| 2023 | $32.23/hr | Actual |
| 2024 | $33.16/hr | Actual |
| 2025 | $29.31/hr | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $30.11/hr | Estimated |
| 2027 | $30.93/hr | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS metropolitan area data, the median hourly rate for physical therapist assistants in Fort Collins grew 28.9% from $22.73/hr (2019) to $29.31/hr (2025). At a 2.73% projected growth rate, hourly pay is expected to reach $30.93/hr by 2027. Part-time and per-diem physical therapist assistants can use this multi-year trend to benchmark future contract negotiations.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Fort Collins metropolitan area, sourced from annual Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics surveys. 2026–2026 figures are current estimates, and 2027 values are projections, calculated using a 2.73% CAGR derived from 7-year BLS historical data. Actual salaries may vary based on employer, experience, certifications, and local market conditions.
Working as an Hourly Physical Therapist Assistant in Fort Collins
Examining the annual earning potential reveals that a physical therapist assistant working three days a week, or 24 hours, can expect to take home about $37,801 annually. In contrast, full-time PTAs earn significantly more, making the decision to work part-time a critical financial consideration. For those in per-diem roles, the compensation typically ranges between $32 to $48 per hour, making it an appealing option for some. Travel contracts can be particularly lucrative, offering between $1,200 and $1,800 per week, though the landscape has changed for SNF agency PTAs due to recent Medicare payment cuts that took effect in 2022. Different employer types in Fort Collins usually offer varying pay rates; outpatient orthopedic clinics, skilled nursing facilities, and home health agencies often display a wide range of wages. Benefits such as healthcare and retirement can lead some PTAs to choose positions with lower hourly rates, while others may opt for higher-paying roles without benefits. Negotiating pay effectively in Fort Collins is key; understanding the local job market and being informed about typical pay for specific positions can greatly impact overall compensation.
More salary data for Fort Collins, CO:
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the hourly rate for physical therapist assistants in Fort Collins in 2026?
How much do part-time physical therapist assistants make in Fort Collins?
Are physical therapist assistants in Fort Collins paid hourly or salary?
How much does a full-time physical therapist assistant make per year in Fort Collins?
Do physical therapist assistants earn more per hour working part-time in Fort Collins?
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Written by Jordan Lee, DPT
Career Analyst
Jordan has 10 years of experience in outpatient physical therapy. They specialize in orthopedic rehabilitation. Jordan works in a private practice setting.
Methodology & Data Source
Hourly wage figures on this page are 2026 projections based on the Bureau of Labor Statistics Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OEWS) survey, May 2026 release. A 2.73% compound annual growth rate (CAGR), derived from 6-year national BLS wage trends, was applied to estimate current 2026 hourly rates for physical therapist assistants in Fort Collins. Part-time and full-time income estimates assume consistent weekly hours and do not account for overtime, benefits, or seasonal variation.
Data Sources & Methodology
Source: BLS, OEWS, 6-year dataset (–). Per-city data from annual BLS metropolitan area surveys.
2026 figures are projected from 2025 BLS data using a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of 2.73%, derived from historical BLS wage trends for physical therapist assistants (SOC 31-2021).
Compiled and verified by Jordan Lee, DPT, a licensed physical therapist assistant with 10+ years of clinical experience. · View source data at BLS.gov